communicate

communicate · verb¹

Adapted borrowing of Latin commūnicāt- (past participial stem of commūnicō (“share, impart; make common”)) + -ate (verb-forming suffix), from commūnis (“common”) + -icō. Compare French communiquer and its older (and now obsolete) English cognate from Middle French, communique.

communicate · adjective²

1. Latin · derived fromcommūnicātus
2. Middle English · inherited fromcommunicate
3. English todaycommunicate

From Middle English communicate, an adapted borrowing of Latin commūnicātus (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), perfect passive participle of commūnicō (“to make commune”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. To impart or transmit (information or knowledge) to someone; to make known, to tell.
• from 16th c. To impart or transmit (an intangible quantity, substance); to give a share of.
• from 17th c. To pass on (a disease) to another person, animal etc.
• 16th–19th c. To share (in); to have in common, to partake of.
• from 16th c. To receive the bread and wine at a celebration of the Eucharist; to take part in Holy Communion.
• from 16th c. To administer the Holy Communion to (someone).
• from 16th c. To express or convey ideas, either through verbal or nonverbal means; to have intercourse, to exchange information.
• from 16th c. To be connected by means of an opening or channel [with with ‘another room, vessel etc.’].